The 10 Biggest Apple Stories Of 2012

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Apple's partnership with Foxconn, the Chinese manufacturing company that produces its iPhones, was thrust into the spotlight this year, dragging Apple's labor practices along with it.

The trouble started after a New York Times report exposed a number of gross labor violations at Foxconn, ranging from underage workers to employee suicides to exposure to toxic chemicals. Apple CEO Tim Cook, as a result, visited China in March to personally speak with Foxconn employees about their working conditions. He also launched a series of audits with the Fair Labor Association to look into the claims.